Metal door construction



e. c. MACKLEM 2,827,139

METAL DOOR CGNSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 4, 1956 INVENTOR.

GEORGE C. MACKLEM lh kmh ATTORNEY United States Patent F METAL noon coNsTRUeTIoN George C. Macklem, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Copco Steel & Engineering Company, Detroit, Mich, a corpartition of Michigan Application October 4, 1M6, Serial No. 613,925

11 Claims. c1. 189-46) This invention relates to a metal door construction and more particularly to a door construction in which the muntin bars in the window opening are arranged in a non-sliding positive combination. The invention is further characterized by the facility with which the window opening maybe altered in respect to the arrangement of the window lights.

The invention comprises a two piece muntin bar supported on anchoring elements positively and fixedly positioned in the door framing. The horizontal muntin bar is arranged to a length equal to the distance across the window opening. An anchoring or support element for the muntin bar is placed so that a projecting portion enters a groove in each side stile of the door framing, the forward end of the projecting portion passing into an opening in the base of the groove. The portion of the support element adjacent the forward portion generally bears against the side edge of the stile in a horizontal arrangement. Since there may be a series of horizontally parallel aligned openings in the two stiles at the base of their grooves, the muntin bar supports may be arranged in one or more of a number of horizontal positions. When two horizontally aligned supports have been inserted into the grooves of the stiles, the muntin bar, having a pair of parallel projecting flanges, is slipped over the supports, the flanges being spaced about the top and bottom sides of the after portion of the supports. The muntin bar supports may be arranged with stop lugs on their after portions at the ends thereof, or the flanges of the muntin bar may be arranged with turned in, opposed lanced lugs to provide a positive stop against sliding of complementary support elements, as will be more specifically described below. Thereafter, the muntin bar cap is forced onto and over the ends of the muntin bar flanges to close the muntin bar and present a finished appearance on both sides of the muntin bar.

The construction is also applicable to vertical muntin bars and to crossed muntin bars, the top and bottom rails or the horizontal and vertical muntin bars, as the case may be, having suitable grooves therein comparable to those in the two stiles.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a non-sliding positive muntin bar support element. It is another object to provide a two piece muntin bar complementary to and cooperating with the support element. It is a further object to provide the muntin bar flanges with lanced or pierced stop lugs or, alternatively, with slots to complementarily cooperate with support elements that positively associate in a non-sliding combination with the muntin bar. It is still another object to provide a metal door construction that embodies muntin bar assemblies which are simple and relatively inexpensive to produce, assemble and install in metal door structures.

These and ther objects of the invention will become more apparent from the description given below. The description together with the appended drawing is a disclosure of one form which the invention may take, and is not intended to be a limitation of the forms and varia- Patented Mar. 18, 1958 tions which persons skilled in the art may make. For a visual understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Fig. l is a front elevation on a reduced scale 'of a metal door structure embodying the invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal enlarged :sectional view taken substantially on the line -22 of Fig. v1. 7

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 isafragmentary horizontal sectional viewtaken substantially on the 'line 4-4 of Fig. -2. 7

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view 'of an alternative structure embodying the invention, similar to Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary verticalsectional view, similar to Fig, 3, embodying the alternative structure of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, similar to Fig. 4, embodying the alternative structure of Fig. 5.

Figs. 8, 8a and 8b are elevational, plan and end views of a muntin bar support element, as used and shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Figs. 9, 9a and 9b are elevational, plan and end views of an alternative muntin bar support element, as used and shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

As shown in Fig. l, the metal door structure 10 embodying the invention comprises two stiles 12, a top rail 14, an intermediate rail 16 and a bottom rail- 18 to form a window opening 20 and to surround a lower panel member 22. A muntin bar assembly 24 is used in the opening 2% to separate and divide the latter for upper and lower window lights 26.

The side stiles 12 arrangedin opposed, parallel, aligned relationship comprise a body portion 2-8 having an interior groove 36 formed by walls 32 and 34 terminating in an overlapping bottom wall 35, 38. The latter are perforated at intervals to provide openings '40 at the base of the groove. The openings should be arranged in aligned parallel relationship to permit substantially accurate horizontal positioning for the muntin bars, as will be more fully described below.

A muntin bar support 42, such as shown in Figs. 8, 8n and 8b, or the alternative support 44, shown in Figs. 9, 9a, and 9b, may be used to support the muntin bar assembly 24 in the window opening 20. The support 42 comprises a folded forward portion 46 terminating in insert prongs 48, and a foldedflangeportion 50 extending laterally of the forward portion 46.-

The muntin bar assembly that complements and cooperates with support 42 comprises a muntin bar 52 having a body portion 54 with a pair of laterally extending flanges 56 substantially central of the body portion and-longitudinally coextensive therewith. Adjacent the outer edge of the flanges 56, a longitudinal bead 58 is arranged therein, to provide a resistance against facile release of the muntin cap tl, to be described below. The open distance between the flanges 56 is substantially the distance across, i. e. the thickness of the folded portions 46 and 50 of the support 42, to permit the muntin bar flanges to slip over the folded portions with slight or negligible pressure.

The muntin bar cap 60 has a body portion 62 and a pair of opposedly inturned flanges 64, whose longitudinal edges are spaced apart substantially the distance across the muntin bar flanges 56 inwardly of the beads 58.

The relationship of the muntin bar 52 and its flanges 56 to the support 42 and the cap 60 is most clearly shown in Fig. 3, where the folded flange portion 50 of support 42 lies between the muntin bar flanges 56, and the cap inturned flanges 64 bear upon the flanges 56 inwardly of their heads 58, the outermost edges of the flanges 56 lying-within the body portion-62 of-cap'60.

The muntin bar 52 is further arranged with a pair of pierced or lanced inturned stop lugs 66 in the upper and lower flanges 56 adjacent the outer edges 6; of the folded flange portion50 of support 42;. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the support 42 cannot move inwardly of the muntinbar because of the stop lugs 66, i. e. there can be no sliding movement of the support 42, whether the cap 60 is in closing position on the muntin bar flanges 56. or not.

In use, the support 42 has its forward portion prongs 48 inserted in an opening 40 at the base of the stiie 'outer edges thereof make contact with the interior wall 7 of the muntin bar body portion 54. The'support flange portion 50 is of a length to fall closely within the distance of the inturned stop lugs 66 and the inner edge of the stile In this way, the support 42 is locked in place against sliding movement in any direction. Cap 60 is then assembled onto the muntin bar by compressing the beaded portions of the flanges 56 until the cap flanges 64 pass inwardly of the beads 58 to stop position.

a 'An alternative non-sliding construction employs the support 44, of Figs. 9, 9a and 9b, and the muntin 'bar '70, of Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Cap 60, as before, provides the closure for muntin bar 70 which has abody portion 72 and a pair of laterally extending flanges 74 substantially central of'the body portion and longitudinally coextensive'therewith. A longitudinal bead 76 is arranged adjacent the edge of each flange, to provide resistance against facile release of cap 60, as above described. The spacing of the flanges 74 is the same as above for muntin bar 52. However, instead of piercing or lancing the flanges 74 to provide inturned stop lugs, the flanges are slotted or notched at 78 adjacent each end of the muntin bar for locking engagement with the supports 44.

' A Supports 44 are provided with a folded forward portion 80, an integral folded flange portion 82, and a pair of outwardly turned lugs 84 at the outer edges of the flange portion 82. The end of the folded forward portion is provided with insert prongs 86, similar to thoseof support 42.

In use, the support 44 has its prongs 86 inserted into aligned horizontal openings 40 at the base of the stile grooves 30, the folded forward portion 80 lying in the groove and the folded flange portion 82 bearing against one side edge of the stile body 28 adjacent the groove -30. The muntin bar 70 is then placed on the supports 44 so that the support lugs 84 pass through the muntin 'bar flange slots 78 as the flanges 74 slide over the folded flange portion '82 into closed position, the lateral outer edges of the portion 82 making contact against the inner wall of muntin bar body portion 72. The muntin bar cap. is then pressed onto the muntin bar flanges 74 .until the 'cap inturned. flanges 64 seat inwardly of the flange beads76. a

It will be observed thatthe construction of each of Ethe two supports 42 and44 requires a complementary 'muntin bar 52 or 70, respectively, in order that the muntin bar be properly assembled.

' and opening'and closingforces in the door.

' It will be further noted that the muntinbar constructions here disclosed provide for an. assembly of a muntin bar' and its support which need not have a frictional fit to, produce the desired positive relationship. Although fairly close fitting dimensional arrangements are -preferred to reduce vibrational efiects, the muntin bars 52 or need not have a close frictional fit with the supports 42 and 44, respectively, to be properly operable.

It will, of course, be understood that the muntin bar flanges 56 may be provided with a pin or other movement-stopping means in place of the inturned opposed lugs 66, to limit shifting or movement of the support 42 in the muntin bar 52 inwardly of stile 12. The use of a device such as a pin, rivet, or similar element is considered merely the equivalent of the stop lugs 66, which are preferred for the reason that they are more economical to embody in the muntin bar flanges 52. A pin or other such means may be afiixed as a connector for both flanges 56, operating as a positive spacing device between the flanges.

Similarly, the muntin bar flanges 74 may have an in- .turned flange formed at the inside edge of slots 78,0r may have pins or similar means aflixed as a connecting member between the flanges adjacent and inwardly of the'slots, so that either support 42 or 44 will be prevented from movement longitudinally inward of the muntin bar 70.

Having described my invention in its simplest terms, it is to be understood that the construction may be varied in greater or lesser degree without departing from the essence of the invention.

' I claim: V

1. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about the inside of said' opening, muntin bar positioning openings'at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, said muntin bars having a pair of laterally extending spaced flanges longitudinally extending along one side thereof, said flanges adjacent each end of said muntin bar having inturned posed lugs, and a cover having a slot in one wall shaped V to receive the flanges of said muntin bar and to provide with said muntin bar and said flanges a glazing-groove in said first opening. a

2. Ina metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about the inside thereof, muntin bar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, said muntin bars having a pair of longitudinally extending lateral spacedflanges along one side thereof, stationarily positionable muntin bar supportshaving a forward portion insertable in said groove and partially through said positioning openings and an integral muntin bar bearing support portion adjacent said frame insertable between saidspaced flanges, the rearward end of said support having outwardly turned lugs, said flanges having transverse slots therein spaced from and adjacent each end of said muntin bar to re-' ceive said support lugs and to prevent movement of said support inwardly of said muntin bar, and a cover having a slot in one wall shaped to receive. the flanges of said muntin bar and to provide with said muntin bar and said flangesa glazing groove in said first opening.

3. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about the inside thereof, muntin ibar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin herself a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, said muntin bars having a. pair of longitudinally extending late'ral'spaced flanges along one side thereof, sta ionarily positionable'muntin bar supports having a forward portion insertable in said groove and partially through said positioning openings and an integral muntin bar bearing support portion adjacent said frame insertable between said muntin bar spaced flanges, said flanges having transverse slots therein spaced from and adjacent each end of said muntin bar, said bearing support portion having means thereon engageable with said flanges in said slots to prevent movement of said support inwardly of said muntin 'bar, and a cover having a slot in one wall shaped to receive the flanges of said muntin bar and to provide with said muntin bar and said flanges a glazing groove in said first opening.

4. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about the inside thereof, muntin bar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, said muntin bars having a groove therein coplanar and substantially similar to said frame groove, cross muntin bars having a pair of longitudinally extending lateral spaced flanges along one side thereof, stationarily positionable aligned cross muntin bar supports having a forward portion in said frame groove at one side and in said muntin bar groove at the other side and partially through said positioning openings and integral cross muntin bar bearing support portion adjacent said frame at one side and said muntin bar at the other side insertable between said cross muntin bar spaced flanges transversely thereof, said flanges having means therein associated with the end of each of said supports opposite its forward portion spaced from and adjacent each end of said cross muntin bar to prevent movement of said support longitudinally inward of said cross muntin bar, and a cover having a slot in one wall shaped to receive the flanges of said cross muntin bar and to provide with said cross muntin bar and said flanges a glazing groove in said first opening.

5. The structure defined in claim 4, in which said means comprise inturned opposed lugs lanced in said flanges.

6. The structure defined in claim 4, in which said means comprise a pin aflixed to and conjoining said flanges.

7. The structure defined in claim 4, in which said cross muntin bar supports are provided at their outer ends with outwardly opposedly turned lugs, and said means com prise a slot in said flanges to receive said support lugs.

8. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about each of the inside edges thereof, muntin bar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, each of said muntin bars having a pair of laterally extending spaced apart flanges longitudinally extending along one side thereof, stationarily positionable muntin bar supports having a forward portion in said groove and partially through said positioning openings and an integral support portion adjacent said frame in said first opening insertable between said flanges transversely thereof, means in said muntin bar flanges adjacent each end thereof limiting movement of said supports solely to transverse movement of said supports relative to said muntin bar.

9. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about each of the inside edges thereof, muntin bar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, each of said muntin bars having a pair of laterally extending spaced apart flanges longitudinally extending along one side thereof, stationarily positionable muntin bar supports having a forward portion in said groove and partially through said positioning openings and an integral support portion adjacent said frame in said first opening insertable between said flanges transversely thereof, means in said muntin bar flanges adjacent each end thereof cooperatively associated with the end of said support opposite its forward portion to limit and restrict longitudinal movement of said support relative to said muntin bar.

10. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing groove about each of the inside edges thereof, muntin bar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, each of said muntin bars having a pair of laterally extending spaced apart flanges longitudinally extending along one side thereof, muntin bar supports having a forward portion in said groove and partially through said positioning openings and an integral support portion adjacent said frame in said first opening comprising a pair of spaced apart parallel sides insertable between said flanges transversely thereof, means in said muntin bar flanges adjacent each end thereof to limit and restrict longitudinal movement of said support sides between said flanges relative thereto and to permit transverse movement only of said support with respect to said muntin bar at the outer ends thereof.

11. In a metal door construction, the combination comprising a frame having an opening provided with an inwardly facing grOOVe about each of the inside edges thereof, muntin bar positioning openings at the bottom of said grooves at spaced intervals, muntin bars of a length to fit across said frame in said first opening, each of said muntin bars having a pair of longitudinally extending lateral spaced flanges along one side thereof, stationarily positionable muntin bar supports having a forward portion in said groove and partially through said positioning openings and an integral muntin bar bearing support portion adjacent said frame projecting into said first opening and insertable between said muntin 'bar spaced flanges transversely thereof, said flanges having means integrally formed therein therebetween spaced from and adjacent each end of said muntin bar and spaced from the outer side edge thereof to limit and restrict longitudinal movement of said supports in said muntin bar relative thereto, said integral support portion being positioned within the space defined by said frame and said flange means, and a cover having a slot in one wall shaped to receive the flanges of said muntin bar and to provide with said muntin bar and said flanges a glazing groove in said first opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,571,350 Washburn Feb. 2, 1926 2,574,330 Judd Nov. 6, 1951 2,627,632 Kelly Feb. 10, 1953 2,747,705 Bagnard May 29, 1956 

